So, in my obsession with running, I have subscribed to Runner’s World (with KARA on the cover – how she had a baby seven months ago and is still hot, I have no idea):

And bought her book.

And read most of it. NBD.

When I haven’t run yet, I’m dreaming of the workout I want to do. Like actually, it’s like having a new boyfriend and wanting to spend every second of the world with them. I absolutely love running, I am head-over-heels crazy in love and right now my sneakers are calling my name but I have to wait until this Bancake is digested.

How come I can’t just eat all the time and be able to eat more and more without ever getting a tummy ache?

So after my long run on Sunday, I took Monday off (long walks with the pooch) and yesterday was spent on a 5-miler. I basically got my ass handed to me. It was fun, and I was proud of myself for being able to do 5 in 45!

Five miles in 44 minutes, 45 seconds. Average pace of 8:56! And that is WITH all of the stoplights. I gave myself a pat on the back for that one. Then I stretched and worked my abs, which I am so proud of. They are becoming more sculpted every day:)

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A few of you requested a post on why I chose Syracuse University. To be honest, there isn’t any earth-shattering answer to that question, but I will do my best to explain the reasoning inside my little head:)

Why I chose Syracuse University:

I’m a very outgoing person. Kind of crazy, to be honest. So when I went to visit Syracuse the first time (back in November) I really didn’t think it was the right place for me because of the campus. However, when I met many of the students, I realized that they are as cray cray as I am, so instead of me feeling like I’m in their faces all the time we kind of bounce our craziness of of each other:)

Syracuse has the programs I want. I plan to double major in Nutrition Sciences and Public Health, and no other school (that I know of) has strong programs in both.

Syracuse was not my first choice. I had my heart set on going to school in D.C. or at the University of Rochester, but I realized that neither of these places were right for me. They are great schools, but when I felt the environment and relationships among students, it was not where I wanted to be. I have kind of a screwed up mind…when it comes to thinking with my brain, I go with my heart. Those schools were good “thinking brain” schools…great academics, reputation, connections, etc. BUT when it came down to it, I would not be happy at either of those places because I felt like I had to act differently around those people. I am not perfect, and I do NOT have perfect self-image. So when it comes to being myself, it’s really hard unless I am around other people that accept my craziness. Otherwise I just feel like a nutball.

Location. Syracuse is not too far from home, so I can come home for a long weekend and get free food/free laundry:)

Size. Syracuse is not too big, and not too small. At first I was all about the smaller schools, but Syracuse is perfect because it is not a CITY, but I can meet new people all the time yet still keep relationships with the people I have met and care about. Plus, the college I am in and the majors I am in have smaller, tight-knit communities, so I get the best of both worlds.

School spirit. It is no secret that Syracuse has a killer basketball team. If you have ever heard of Syracuse, you know that the students and faculty are all about GO ORANGE! and so are most of the people in the state of New York. I am a huge rah-rah school spirit, cheer-on-the-team kind of girl, so it is a perfect place for me to show some enthusiasm:)

50/50. As I said before, my brain thinks in strange ways. To me, Syracuse feels to be passionate in every realm of the students’ lives. The students are passionate and care to no end about their passions/academics, but they care equally about forming strong, important relationships with other people. THAT is the kind of community I will thrive in. The other schools seemed to be about 80 academic / 20 social. That’s a bit too much time in the books, if you ask me. (and that is coming from an overachiever too – hello five AP exams this year!)

I am sleepy weepy, mainly because of the project (my Baby Book!) that caused my major lack of snoozage this weekend, but it’s totes fine because it is a-dorable. I am so excited to get it back so I can photograph it for you guys:)

Today I decided I should talk about a breakthrough I had this weekend.

Like many people, I have had a “complicated” relationship with wellness. Particularly, with running.

When I first began running, it was in high school and purely for the purpose of being “skinny” like the other runners. Needless to say, I hated it. I hated how much it made me want to hurl, made my legs burn, and put me out of breath.

But, since I’ve switched to a cleaner diet, all of this has changed. Five miles is suddenly the “norm”, and it doesn’t seem that hard. I attribute my new endurance to my diet, but also to my Dad.

This weekend, I went on a run with my Dad on the canal. It was sunny, warm, and the water was sparkling. It was absolutely perfect.

I brought my new baby with me, and Padre pushed me the entire way. I told him I didn’t want to back down and walk at all, which was a big step for me. Running seven or eight miles on the treadmill is no big deal for me, but running outside is not the same thing. My body just was not ready for the outdoor runs, so when I would go with the Padre, my legs would feel stiff as tree trunks and I would have to walk a few times.

This was semi-disappointing to me, but once we got a good pace on, it became effortless. My form has changed drastically over the last few weeks, and that definitely helped. I have been following theChi Running principles, landing on my middle/forefoot, leaning forward, and kicking my legs back. I’ve noticed a huge difference in my speed and how my joints can handle running. Patella-femural syndrome, my ASS. Ain’t got nothin’ on this girl!

We ended up doing just over seven miles, and at the end I was sprinting like it was nobody’s business. I don’t even know where the energy came from, all of a sudden my legs were propelling me so fast that the Padre was warning me not to trip:)

It felt so so good, and it was exactly what I needed. For weeks, I had been doubting myself, thinking that my knee would never get better, and that my muscles were just disagreeing with running. But, a few batches of hummus later, I finished my long run with the Padre after not running for more than a few weeks.

In my own mind, this is not a good pace. In fact, it makes me feel kind of like a slug. But what I have to remember is after injury, it’s baby steps at a time

Breakthrough:

Then on Sunday, the Baby Sister wanted to go to the gymmy gym gym, so she used the machines indoors while I basked in the sunshine and ran along the canal. It was so sunny delicious gorgeous bloggies, you would have peed.

In my mind I promised myself to wait at least a mile before I looked at my pace and when I finally did, I almost cried. I have not gone faster than a nine minute mile (outdoors, on my own) in um, ages.

After I saw that number, this hugh jass smile got plastered on my face and didn’t leave. I just soaked in the sun, the water, the grass, the fields, everything. Soon enough, my eyes were tearing up. This wasn’t the first time, but it was different.

I realized what I have been looking for this whole time. I’ve caught glimpses of it, but not until that moment did I really feel it.

I fell in love with running.

Not the legs or abs that comes with it, but the joy of propelling myself underneath the sunshine, and seeing all of the beautiful things around me. The scenery seemed to be so much more beautiful in my little sneaker-endorphine world.

I realized, that’s why the world runs. Because it gives us joy, it makes us strong, and it makes us appreciate the world and the people around us. When we hit the pavement, we are becoming closer to the Earth. I don’t care how many gadgets and gazoos you carry around when you’re running, but you’re becoming better friends with Mother Nature.

It’s a circle of appreciation that makes gives me so much joy to say that I will be running my first Half Marathon on July 23rd, 2011. A week later, I will be turning eighteen.

Thank you for all of your favorite juicing combinations!! And for the congratulations on my first new baby of the week🙂 She has become a he, and been affectionally named Darren. Lisa, you know me too well:)

Also, I am so glad you guys are gaga for Bressert Kale Chips! There will be more variations this weekend, just you wait:)

Sorry about the absence over the last couple of days:( Being a senior can do that to ya. It’s a bit of senioritis (which the Padre understands, and responded to with, “It’s like running a marathon, sometimes you gotta take a break for a week” <—Love him) and a bit of the fact that I am hearing from a couple of my schools this weekend and the rest by April 1st.

Holy man.

I should be more nervous than I am, most likely, but I think it is good that I’m relaxed about this. What’s the point in worrying when it’s out of my hands, you know?

But anyways.

Yesterday I got a little present from the UPS guy.

Well, more like a present from myself, to myself. Awe, Katelyn, you shouldn’t have;)

We should all feel loved (especially by ourselves!) sometimes. Okay all the time, cause honeybunches you are a pile of lovebunch. To get serious for a moment, just remember that your family, friends, and bloggy boos love you times a million. If you are struggling with loving yourself, don’t hesitate to shoot me an e-mail🙂 That is all for the seriousness. Back to business.

Why? a. I cannot run outside without knowing how fast/far I am going, or I just get disoriented and feel super slow (way diff than a treadmill) and b. This will make my half marathon training (and future marathon training) a lot more effective. The best part is you can plan your workouts on the computer, and upload them to your watch. It beeps at every interval/pace/etc., which rocks my socks. Love you new workout buddy:)

I purchased this on Amazonlast week for $127. Not a joke. So if you bought one for full price, you might as well be kicking yourself in the pants right now.

I am in love. This watch will be my fifth appendage for the rest of my life.

Any name suggestions? I am thinking this one should be Brendan after Brendan Brazier, so I can channel his inner beast.

Obviously as soon as my new toy came, I had to hit the pavement. The Padre asked if I wanted to go running with him, so obvs I jumped right on that. What’s a better way to try out my new toy than to get my butt kicked by my marathoner Dad? That’s right, nothing.

So, I got my game face on..

And kicked some asphalt.

p.s. Doesn’t it look like I photoshopped myself into that picture? I’m floating basically.

Roughly five and a half miles, including approx two miles of walking because my knee began to hurt. No injuries around here people, we are all about prevention! I am not going to get an ouchy knee right when I get my brand new toy, oh no I am running in the ice and snow no matter what (by the way Mother Nature I am not happy with you, why did you take away our sunshine?!).

When I got home, I had a quick smoothie and then went to my doctor’s checkup, running clothes, Garmin, and all. I’m pretty sure they appreciated it:)

Then I came home and had some goodies. I am pretty sure my stomach is bottomless. So, I had breakfast for dinner (aka Brinner). You crave what you crave, people!

And some Kelp Noodles! I recently found these at Weggies, and basically peed my pants. Even our health food superstore in town doesn’t have these. I am impressed once again:) (bee tee dubs we could still use a Whole Foods or TJ’s around here!)

These are so. good. Crunchy, mild flavor (takes on the flavor of whatever you put them in), and so refreshing. A+!

I enjoyed them with some marinara and nooch, as well as on my salads. I am not going to show you pictures because it looks fugly, but isn’t fugly food the most delicious?:)

That is all for today chickadees! See you tomorrow:)

Do you have a Garmin? Any tips/name suggestions?

We should make a Garmin club and all go running togeths. Running party at my place, mmk?!

Seasoned runners: any tips for running in general and training?

Fill me in, love doves!

Favorite new food finds?

Kelp noodles:) I am always up for a new product! (as long as I can pronounce the ingredients, and there are as few as poss. No HFCS for this girl.)

Hi!

Chef Katelyn is a blog dedicated to the lifestyle of finding health, happiness, and inner peace through eating, exercising, and living well. I believe that what we put into our bodies, how we use them, and how we choose to enrich our lives directly effect our health mentally, physically, and emotionally. I hope you find some this balance with me while I continue my journey every day :)